Brackley Town boss Wilkin excited by a big FA Cup challenge

Shane Byrne was the first on hand to congratulate goalkeeper Ali Worby after Brackley Town’s FA Cup first round penalty shootout win over Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday

Kevin Wilkin is “under no illusions” of the size of the task that faces Brackley Town when they bid to reach the third round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time in their history.

The Saints edged into the second round last weekend when they beat lower-ranked Bishop’s Stortford in a penalty shoot-out after a 3-3 draw at St James Park.

In Monday’s draw, the Vanarama National League North side were handed a trip to Sky Bet League Two side Tranmere Rovers with the second-round tie due to be played over the weekend of November 28.

Brackley have reached the second round on two previous occasions but are yet to make it into the hat alongside the giants of the English game.

And Wilkin knows his team will have to be at their absolute best at Prenton Park at the end of the month if they are to take the next step this season.

“You have to hope,” the Saints boss said.

“We have proved in the past that we can beat Football League opposition but we are under no illusions. Tranmere are a massive club and it will be a very tough game for us.

“But you have to go there believing that you can put your best foot forward and perform to the level you are capable of on the day.

“If we do, we will give them a game but, as always, I have big respect for the higher-ranked clubs. They will be hot favourites to win the game and rightly so.

“We know we will have to be right on our game and if we are, who knows? That’s the magic of the FA Cup, these things can happen.”

There was a sense of relief for Brackley last weekend as they eventually won 3-2 on penalties having squandered a 3-1 lead against Bishop’s Stortford given to them thanks to goals from Lee Ndlovu, Matt Lowe and Tre Mitford.

That was followed by their first win of the league season on Tuesday night as Mitford and Shane Byrne earned them a 2-0 success at Alfreton Town.

“It was a good win on Tuesday,” Wilkin, who added former Hereford defender Jordan Cullinane-Liburd to his squad ahead of the game, said.

“Alfreton are big and physical and they have improved from where they were at last year.

“It was a solid performance, we scored a goal in each half and never really looked in too much danger.